Saturday, June 30, 2012

Prickly-pear Cactus (Opuntia polyacantha) - the first time it has bloomed in several years!

This cactus is native to the southern area of Ontario, particularily Pelee island. It likes dry hot soil. My soil is dry but a little too shady for it to bloom reliably. The needles are deadly and hurt incredibily when they prick you. It is almost impossible to get them out of your skin. Use a tool to weed around them. They survive the winter very well.

We built a pondless waterfall for someone who wanted to mask the sound of a neighbour's air conditioner. It's very exciting to start from scratch and to create something, where there was nothing. As soon as the plants grow in it will seem so much more tranquil. I want to do more of them. It was very fun to create.